cypermethrin

H302: Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]

H332: Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]

H335: May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]

H373: May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]

H400: Very toxic to aquatic life [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]

H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard]

P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P273, P301+P317, P304+P340, P317, P319, P330, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]

H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]

P261, P264, P270, P271, P272, P273, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P304+P340, P319, P321, P330, P332+P317, P333+P317, P362+P364, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

H301 (13.5%): Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]

H302+H332 (37.6%): Harmful if swallowed or if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, oral; acute toxicity, inhalation]

H302 (86.5%): Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]

H332 (80.1%): Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]

H335 (93.1%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]

H373 (48.3%): May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]

H400 (88.4%): Very toxic to aquatic life [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]

H410 (100%): Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard]

P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P273, P301+P316, P301+P317, P304+P340, P317, P319, P321, P330, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 518 reports by companies from 32 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website.

H301: Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]

H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]

P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P272, P273, P280, P301+P316, P302+P352, P304+P340, P308+P316, P317, P319, P321, P330, P333+P317, P362+P364, P391, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

H320: Causes eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]

P260, P264, P264+P265, P270, P301+P316, P305+P351+P338, P308+P316, P319, P321, P330, P337+P317, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Refer for medical attention .

Use powder, AFFF, foam, carbon dioxide. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

Use dry powder, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, sand, or earth for dealing with fires. Do not use water. Cool nearby drums with water spray. If pyrethroid products are involved in a major fire or in a fire involving other products, advise the fire service that protective clothing and breathing apparatus should be worn. Also, warn the authorities that pyrethroids are highly toxic for fish, and that the use of water should be confined to the cooling of unaffected stock, thus avoiding the accumulation of polluted run-off from the site.

Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. /Pyrethrins/

Personal protection: filter respirator for organic gases and particulates adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Collect leaking liquid in sealable containers. Do NOT wash away into sewer. Absorb remaining liquid in sand or inert absorbent. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

Avoid exposure, if possible by the use of appropriate protective clothing and masks. Empty any product remaining in damaged or leaking containers into a clean empty drum and label. Absorb spillage with lime, damp sawdust, sand, or earth and dispose of safely (see below). If spillage is large, contain it by building a barrier of earth or sandbags. Decontaminate empty, damaged, or leaking containers with a 10% sodium carbonate solution added at the rate of at least 1 litre per 20 L drum. Puncture containers to prevent reuse.

/Transportation/ accident procedures: Avoid exposure - if possible by the use of appropriate protective clothing and masks. Keep spectators away from leaking or spilled product and prevent smoking or the use of naked flames in the immediate vicinity. Extinguish fires with dry powder, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, sand, or earth. Prevent liquid from spreading to other cargo, vegetation, or waterways by containing it with the most readily available barrier material, e.g., earth or sand. Absorb spilled liquid and cover contaminated areas with earth, lime, sand, or other absorbent material. Sweep up and place in a secure container for subsequent safe disposal.

Spillages of pesticides at any stage of their storage or handling should be treated with great care. Liquid formulations may be reduced to solid phase by evaporation. Dry sweeping of solids is always hazardous: these should be removed by vacuum cleaning, or by dissolving them in water, or other solvent in the factory environment. /Pesticides/

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Incinerate cypermethrin in a unit with effluent gas scrubbing. (Peer-review conclusions of an IRPTC expert (May 1985)).

Incineration would be an effective disposal procedure where permitted. If an efficient incinerator is not available, the product should be mixed with large amounts of combustible material and contact with the smoke should be avoided. /Pyrethrin products/

Avoid contact with skin. Keep out of any body of water. Do not contaminate water by cleaning of equipment or disposal of waste. Do not reuse empty container. Destroy it by perforating or crushing. /Pyrethrum/

If /pyrethrins/ are not involved in a fire: keep /pyrethrins/ out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary. /Pyrethrins/

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses by industrial workers is inconsistent. The benefits or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. The completeness of the cleaning procedures should be considered before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers. Contaminated clothing should not be taken home at the end of shift, but should remain at employee's place of work for cleaning.

SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.

Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Separated from food and feedstuffs. Keep in a well-ventilated room.

Store technical material and formulations away from heat, under lock and key, and out of the reach of children, animals, and unauthorized personnel. Store in an area designated for insecticide storage, preferably without drains. Store away from other chemicals, foodstuffs, and animal feed.

Pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide topical preparations should be stored in well-closed containers at a temperature less than 40 °C, preferably between 15-30 °C. /Pyrethrins/

Acute Oral: 0.02 mg/kg/day (Rat) (L857)

No indication can be given about the rate at which a harmful concentration of this substance in the air is reached on evaporation at 20 °C.

The substance is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the nervous system. This may result in facial sensation such as tingling, itching or burning.

Tolerances are established for residues of the insecticide cypermethrin (+/-)alpha cyano-(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl(+/-)cis,trans-3(2,2-dichloroethenyl-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate in or on the following commodities: [Table#6092]

Tolerances are established for residues of the insecticide Z-cypermethrin (S-cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl (+/-))(cis-trans 3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2 dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate and its inactive R-isomers in or on the following raw agricultural commodities: /zeta-Cypermethrin/ [Table#6093]

Wear protective clothing, gloves, and face shield when handling concentrate or spraying.

NO open flames.

PREVENT GENERATION OF MISTS!

Use ventilation, local exhaust or breathing protection.

Protective gloves. Protective clothing.

Wear face shield.

Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work. Wash hands before eating.

An emulsifiable concentrate or wettable powder composed of a mixture of eight different isomers; [EXTOXNET]

YELLOW VISCOUS LIQUID-TO-PASTE WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.

Yellow viscous liquid or semi-solid. Pure isomers are colorless crystals.

Viscous semi-solid

Colorless crystals - pure isomers

Odorless

MP: 60-80 °C (technical)

60-80 °C

Soluble in methanol, acetone, xylene, dichloromethane

In acetone, chloroform, cyclohexanone, xylene greater than 450, ethanol 337, hexane 103 (all in g/L at 20 °C).

Soluble in methanol and methylene dichloride

In water, 4X10-3 mg/L at 20 °C

Solubility in water: none

1.25 g/cu cm at 20 °C

Relative density (water = 1): 1.1

1.7X10-9 mm Hg at 20 °C

Vapor pressure, Pa at 20 °C:

1.7x10-9 mmHg

log Kow = 6.60

Relatively stable in neutral & weakly acidic media, with optimum stability at pH 4. Hydrolyzed in alkaline media. Relatively stable to light in field situations. Thermally stable up to 220 °C.

Pyrethrins ... /are/ stable for long periods in water-based aerosols where ... emulsifiers give neutral water systems. /Pyrethrins/

When heated to decomp it emits toxic fumes of /cyanide, nitrogen oxides, chloride/.

Non-corrosive to metals

181.4 Ų [M+H]+ [CCS Type: TW; Method: calibrated with polyalanine and drug standards]

200.6 Ų [M+Na]+ [CCS Type: TW; Method: calibrated with polyalanine and drug standards]

200.33 Ų [M+H]+ [CCS Type: TW; Buffer gas: N2; Ionization: GC-APCI+; Note: drift peak 4 (of 4)]

195.52 Ų [M+H]+ [CCS Type: TW; Buffer gas: N2; Ionization: GC-APCI+; Note: drift peak 1 (of 4)]

192.96 Ų [M]+ [CCS Type: TW; Buffer gas: N2; Ionization: GC-APCI+; Note: drift peak 1 (of 4)]

199.97 Ų [M+H]+ [CCS Type: TW; Buffer gas: N2; Ionization: GC-APCI+; Note: drift peak 2 (of 4)]

199.97 Ų [M+H]+ [CCS Type: TW; Buffer gas: N2; Ionization: GC-APCI+; Note: drift peak 3 (of 4)]

195.04 Ų [M]+ [CCS Type: TW; Buffer gas: N2; Ionization: GC-APCI+; Note: drift peak 4 (of 4)]

193.55 Ų [M]+ [CCS Type: TW; Buffer gas: N2; Ionization: GC-APCI+; Note: drift peak 2 (of 4)]

Yellow-brown viscous semi-solid /Technical/

Boiling point

Heat of sublimation

Vapor pressure

Pharmaceuticals -> UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate List

Potential endocrine disrupting compound

Pesticide -> EPA IRIS

Agrochemicals -> Pesticide active substances

... Incompatible with lime & ordinary soaps because acids & alkalies speed up processes of hydrolysis. /Pyrethrins/

Both type I and type II pyrethroids exert their effect by prolonging the open phase of the sodium channel gates when a nerve cell is excited. They appear to bind to the membrane lipid phase in the immediate vicinity of the sodium channel, thus modifying the channel kinetics. This blocks the closing of the sodium gates in the nerves, and thus prolongs the return of the membrane potential to its resting state. The repetitive (sensory, motor) neuronal discharge and a prolonged negative afterpotential produces effects quite similar to those produced by DDT, leading to hyperactivity of the nervous system which can result in paralysis and/or death. Other mechanisms of action of pyrethroids include antagonism of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated inhibition, modulation of nicotinic cholinergic transmission, enhancement of noradrenaline release, and actions on calcium ions. They also inhibit calium channels and Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPase. (T10, T18, L857)

Cypermethrin

Gastrointestinal

1 x 10 ^-2 mg/kg-day

Pesticide

Acute HHBP for children; the acute endpoint is protective of longer-term exposures

Smith, C.D. and Nowell, L.H., 2024. Health-Based Screening Levels for evaluating water-quality data (3rd ed.). DOI:10.5066/F71C1TWP

Cancer Classification: Group C Possible Human Carcinogen

Spraying and application of nonarsenical insecticides entail exposures that are probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). (L135)

At high doses, signs of poisoning attributable to cypermethrin include profuse salivation and pulmonary edema, clonic seizures, opisthotonos (i.e., the spine is bent forward such that a supine body rests on its head and heels), coma, and death. At lower doses, commonly observed effects include paresthesia and erythema (L863).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.

Inhalation (L857) ; oral (L857) ; dermal (L857) ; eye contact (L857).

Burning sensation. Cough. Dizziness. Headache. Nausea. Shortness of breath.

Redness. Burning sensation. Numbness. Tingling sensation. Itching.

Redness. Pain.

Abdominal pain. Convulsions. Vomiting. Further see Inhalation.

Following dermal exposure to cypermethrin, feelings of numbness, itching, burning, stinging, tingling, or warmth may occur, that could last for a few hours. Ddizziness, headache, nausea, muscle twitching, reduced energy, and changes in awareness can reult from inhalation or ingestion of large amounts of cypermethrin. Paralysis can occur after exposure (L857).

Neurotoxin - Other CNS neurotoxin

Occupational hepatotoxin - Secondary hepatotoxins: the potential for toxic effect in the occupational setting is based on cases of poisoning by human ingestion or animal experimentation.

OPP RfD= 0.01 mg/kg; EPA RfD= 0.01 mg/kg; WHO RfD= 0.05 mg/kg

IRIS Archive

Children

Human Health Benchmarks for Pesticides - 2021 Update

LD50: 250-300 mg/kg (Oral, Mouse) (L873)

LD50 Rat (8 day old) oral 14.9 mg/kg

LD50 Rat (adult male) oral 250.0 mg/kg

LD50 Rat oral 4123 mg/kg

LD50 Rabbit dermal >2460 mg/kg

For more Non-Human Toxicity Values (Complete) data for CYPERMETHRIN (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Following oral exposure, the treatment is symptomatic and supportive and includes monitoring for the development of hypersensitivity reactions with respiratory distress. Provide adequate airway management when needed. Gastric decontamination is usually not required unless the pyrethrin product is combined with a hydrocarbon. Following inhalation exposure, move patient to fresh air. monitor for respiratory distress. If cough or difficulty breathing develops, evaluate for respiratory tract irritation, bronchitis, or pneumonitis. Administer oxygen and assist ventilation as required. Treat bronchospasm with inhaled beta2 agonist and oral or parenteral corticosteroids. In case of eye exposure, irrigate exposed eyes with copious amounts of room temperature water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia persist, the patient should be seen in a health care facility. If the contamination occurs through dermal exposure, Remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed area thoroughly with soap and water. A physician may need to examine the area if irritation or pain persists. Vitamin E topical application is highly effective in relieving parenthesis. (L363)

The effects of dissolved organic carbon in the form of Aldrich humic acid on the accumulation and acute toxicities of three synthetic pyrethroids - fenvalerate, deltamethrin, and cyhalothrin - to Daphnia magna in laboratory experiments were investigated. Concn of dissolved organic carbon as low as 2.6 mg/L, 3.2 mg/L, and 3.1 mg/L for deltamethrin fenvalerate, and cyhalothrin, respectively, resulted in a significant decrease in bioaccumulation. Acute toxicities of all three pyrethroids were found to decrease as dissolved organic carbon concn increased; eg, at a dissolved organic carbon concn of 15.5 mg/L, the acute toxicity of fenvalerate was reduced by a factor of 17. The percentages of deltamethrin and fenvalerate bound to dissolved organic carbon increased as dissolved organic carbon concn increased after 2 hr and 24 hr contact times. At low concn of dissolved organic carbon (eg, 1.7 mg/L), as much as 40% of fenvalerate and 20% of deltamethrin were found sorbed to the dissolved material. After 24 hr contact times, 76.4 and 80.8% of fenvalerate and deltamethrin, respectively, were bound to dissolved organic carbon. Reverse-phase partition coefficients for both fenvalerate and deltamethrin were found to vary with dissolved organic carbon concn and were in the range 1.0 to 4.8 to 5.6.

The acute administration of 1R,cis, alpha S-cypermethrin, deltamethrin fenvalerate and permethrin produced a dose-dependent lowering of the dose of pentylenetetrazol required to elicit a seizure in rats. The proconvulsant action of cypermethrin displayed stereospecificity in that the 1R, cis, alpha S isomer of cypermethrin was the most potent compound tested, while the non-insecticidal isomer, 1S,cis, alpha R-cypermethrin, was devoid of proconvulsant activity. Pretreatment of rats with PK 11195, an antagonist of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding site, elicited a complete reversal of the proconvulsant actions of both deltamethrin and permethrin. In contrast, pretreatment with phenytoin did not alter the pyrethroid-induced proconvulsant activity. These results suggest that the effects of pyrethroids on pentylenetetrazol seizure threshold are mediated via an interaction with peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding sites.

/Pyrethroid/ detoxification ... important in flies, may be delayed by the addition of synergists ... organophosphates or carbamates ... to guarantee a lethal effect. ... /Pyrethroid/

Piperonyl butoxide potentiates /insecticidal activity/ of pyrethrins by inhibiting the hydrolytic enzymes responsible for pyrethrins' metabolism in arthropods. When piperonyl butoxide is combined with pyrethrins, the insecticidal activity of the latter drug is increased 2-12 times /Pyrethrins/

For more Interactions (Complete) data for CYPERMETHRIN (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Skin decontamination. Wash skin promptly with soap and water ... . If irritant or paresthetic effects occur, obtain treatment by a physician. Because volatilization of pyrethroids apparently accounts for paresthesia affecting the face, strenuous measures should be taken (ventilation, protective face mask and hood) to avoid vapor contact with the face and eyes. Vitamin E oil preparations (dL-alpha tocopheryl acetate) are uniquely effective in preventing and stopping the paresthetic reaction. They are safe for application to the skin under field conditions. Corn oil is somewhat effective, but possible side effects with continuing use make it less suitable. Vaseline is less effective than corn oil. Zinc oxide actually worsens the reaction. /Pyrethroids/

Eye contamination. Some pyrethroid compounds can be very corrosive to the eyes. Extraordinary measures should be taken to avoid eye contamination. the eye should be treated immediately by prolonged flushing of the eye with copious amounts of clean water or saline. If irritation persists, obtain professional ophthalmologic care. /Pyrethroids/

Gastrointestinal decontamination. If large amounts of pyrethroids, especially the cyano-pyrethroids, have been ingested and the patient is seen soon after exposure, consider gastrointestinal decontamination ... . Based on observations in laboratory animals and humans, large ingestions of allethrin, cismethrin, fluvalinate, fenvalerate, or deltamethrin would be the most likely to generate neurotoxic manifestations. If only small amounts of pyrethroid have been ingested, or if treatment has been delayed, oral administration of activated charcoal and cathartic probably represents optimal management. Do not give cathartic if patient has diarrhea or on ileus. /Pyrethroids/

Other treatments. Several drugs are effective in relieving the pyrethroid neurotoxic manifestations observed in deliberately poisoned laboratory animals, but none has been tested in human poisonings. Therefore, neither efficacy nor safety under these circumstances is known. Furthermore, moderate neurotoxic symptoms and signs are likely to resolve spontaneously if they do occur. /Pyrethroids/

For more Antidote and Emergency Treatment (Complete) data for CYPERMETHRIN (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

LD50; Species: Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard duck, male) oral >9520 mg a.i./kg bw /92.9% a.i. technical/ /from table/

LD50; Species: Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard duck, female) oral >11227 mg a.i./kg bw /92.9% a.i. technical/ /from table/

LC50; Species: Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard duck, juvenile) diet >2634 ppm for 8 days

LD50; Species: Colinus virginianus (bobwhite quail) oral >2000 mg a.i./kg /97.1% a.i. Beta cypermethrin/ /from table/

For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for CYPERMETHRIN (67 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/BIRDS and MAMMALS/ Results of reproductive studies in mallard ducks and bobwhite quail show no treatment-related effects on adult birds, reproductive parameters, or offspring at the highest dietary concentrations tested in these studies (50 mg a.i/kg diet).

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ ... A freshwater fish Channa punctatus was exposed to subacute concentrations of ... cypermethrin ... for 96 hr ... Significant enhancement in the level of DNA was recorded in all tissues of the fish at high concentration of cypermethrin, whereas RNA and protein contents increased in tissues at all concentrations of cypermethrin tested. ... Cypermethrin treatment induced RNA/DNA ratio in all fish organs tested ... . Protein/DNA ratios were found to be tissue specific in treatments ...

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ ... This paper investigate/s/ the response of GST activity in the /shore crab, Carcinus maenas exposed to cypermethrin/, and also the time course of the induction process. GST activity is significantly increased in Carcinus exposed to nominal concentrations of 50 and 500 ng/L of water-borne cypermethrin. Carcinus demonstrate a significant elevation in GST activity following intra-cephalothoracic injection with 10 ng of cypermethrin. GST activity returns to basal levels after 36 hr. The potential application of GST activity in Carcinus as a biomarker of cypermethrin exposure is discussed. 206409

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ The effect of exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of cypermethrin ... on biochemical parameters of muscle, blood and enzyme activities in brain, liver and kidney of the Indian major carp, Labeo rohita was studied. The sub-lethal exposure studies were done for up to 45 days at 1/10 and 1/50 of 96 hr LC50 of cypermethrin. The 96 hr LC50 was found to be 0.139 ppm. RNA levels decreased while DNA levels were elevated. Acid phosphatase was unchanged while alkaline phosphatase was depleted. Brain acetylcholinesterase activity was decreased significantly (P<0.05) over a period of 45 days at both cypermethrin concentrations. Lactate dehydrogenase activity in brain and liver was elevated, but inhibited in kidney. Succinate dehydrogenase and ATPase activities were depleted in brain, kidney and liver. There was a decrease in serum protein level over control at both concentrations of the pyrethroid. Blood glucose level and total leucocytes were elevated compared with controls at either concentration from day 15 to day 45. Hemoglobin percentage and total erythrocytes decreased in both sub-lethal concentrations. ...

For more Ecotoxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for CYPERMETHRIN (44 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

The substance is very toxic to aquatic organisms. Avoid release to the environment in circumstances different to normal use.

Cypermethrin's production may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams; its use as an insecticide will result in its direct release to the environment. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 1.7X10-9 mm Hg at 20 °C indicates cypermethrin will exist solely in the particulate phase in the atmosphere. Particulate-phase cypermethrin will be removed from the atmosphere by wet or dry deposition. If released to soil, cypermethrin is expected to have no mobility based upon Koc values of 20,800 to 503,000. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.4X10-7 atm-cu m/mole. Cypermethrin degrades rapidly in soil under aerobic conditions with half-lives of 4.1 to 17.6 days for trans-cypermethrin and 12.5 to 56.4 days for cis-cypermethrin. If released into water, cypermethrin is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment based upon the Koc values. Cypermethrin is expected to biodegrade in water with half-lives of 11.6 to 30.4 days at 15 to 19 °C, pH 7.7, and biological oxygen demand of 2.2 mg/L. Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process based upon this compound's estimated Henry's Law constant. BCFs of 420 in golden ide fish, 430 in rainbow trout and 468 in bluegill suggest bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high. The abiotic hydrolysis half-life of cypermethrin was 63 weeks at pH 7. The photodegradation half-lives of the cis- and trans-isomers of cypermethrin in distilled water solution ranged from 2.6 to 3.6 days in sunlight and >10 days in dark controls; the half-lives in river and seawater ranged from 0.6 to 1.0 days. Occupational exposure to cypermethrin may occur through inhalation of dust particles and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where cypermethrin is produced or used. Monitoring data indicate that the general population may be exposed to cypermethrin via inhalation of ambient air and ingestion of food containing cypermethrin residues. (SRC)

Cypermethrin's production may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams; its use as an insecticide(1) will result in its direct release to the environment(SRC).

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), Koc values of 20,800 to 503,000(2-4), indicate that cypermethrin is expected be immobile in soil(SRC). Volatilization of cypermethrin from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.4X10-7 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), based upon its vapor pressure, 1.7X10-9 mm Hg(2), and water solubility, 4X10-3 mg/L(2). Cypermethrin is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon its vapor pressure(2). The photodegradation of the cis- and trans-isomers of cypermethrin were studied by exposing various soil surface applications to sunlight for 7-10 days(5); half-lives on soil surfaces exposed to sunlight ranged from 0.6-1.9 days while half-lives on dark soil were >7 days(5). The half-lives were 4.1 to 17.6 days for trans-cypermethrin and 12.5 to 56.4 days for the cis-cypermethrin under aerobic conditions in an incubated soil(5), indicating rapid biodegradation. After spray applications in an orchard, the half-life of cypermethrin on vegetation under pear and apricot trees ranged from 14-17 days(6); soil contained no detectable cypermethrin after 100-120 days(6). After spraying wheat herbage, cypermethrin residues fell to 50% after 1 day and to 5% after 27 days(7).

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Cypermethrin degradation in soil was rapid, the trans-isomer degraded more rapidly than the cis-isomer. Thirty to 60% of cypermethrin applied was converted to (14)CO2. Hydrolysis of the ester was the primary pathway and produced the carboxylic acid plus 3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol or 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde cyanohydrin. Both of the latter compounds were converted to 3-phenoxybenzoic acid. Another pathway produced the 3-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)benzyl ester which was in turn hydrolyzed. The degradation rate of trans-cypermethrin and cis-cypermethrin was most rapid on sandy clay and sandy loam. About 50% of trans-cypermethrin and cis-cypermethrin applied to the soils decomposed in 2 weeks and 4 weeks, respectively. Six degradation products were observed in soil: the 3-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)benzyl ester; 3-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)benzoic acid; 3-phenoxybenzoic acid; and (+ or -)-cis- and (+ or -)-trans-3-(2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid. Carbon dioxide was also observed.

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), Koc values of 20,800 to 503,000(2-4), indicate that cypermethrin is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). In a pond experiment, surface applications of cypermethrin gradually partitioned to sediment with sediment concentrations exceeding surface and subsurface water concentrations after 13 days(5); in another pond experiment, dispersion of surface applications to subsurface water and sediment was very slow(5); however, after 4 wks, the concentration in the sediment exceeded the water concentrations(5). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(6) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.4X10-7 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), derived from its vapor pressure, 1.7X10-9 mm Hg(2), and water solubility, 0.004 mg/L(2). According to a classification scheme(7), BCFs of 420 in golden ide fish (Leuciscus idus melanotus)(8), 430 in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)(9) and 468 in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)(10) suggest bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high(SRC). Cypermethrin was found to be stable to hydrolysis at pH 5 and 7, and had a half-life of 1.8 to 2.5 days at pH 9(3). The photodegradation of the cis- and trans-isomers of cypermethrin was studied by exposing various aqueous solutions to sunlight for 7-10 days; the half-lives in distilled water solution were 2.6-3.6 days in sunlight and >10 days in dark controls(11); the half-lives in river and seawater were 0.6-1.0 days and >10 days in dark controls(11). Cypermethrin is expected to biodegrade based on biodegradation half-lives of 11.6 to 30.4 days in water at 15 to 19 °C, pH 7.7, and biological oxygen demand of 2.2 mg/L(12). Anaerobic and aerobic half-lives of cypermethrin in water of 9 to 17 days were also reported(2).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), cypermethrin, which has a vapor pressure of 1.7X10-9 mm Hg at 20 °C(2), is expected to exist solely in the particulate phase in the ambient atmosphere. Particulate-phase cypermethrin may be removed from the air by wet or dry deposition(SRC).

AEROBIC: In a biomineralization study using an activated sludge inoculum, 0.4% of initial cypermethrin was mineralized to CO2 during a 5-day incubation period(1). In soil degradation studies using a mineral and an organic soil, 84-96% of applied cypermethrin disappeared after an 8-week incubation period(2); in sterile soil controls, only 7-8% of applied cypermethrin disappeared suggesting that the disappearance was primarily due to biotic processes(2). The results of laboratory soil persistence studies, using unformulated cypermethrin and cypermethrin formulated with other chemicals (ex. pentachlorophenol) that prevented microbial degradation, suggested that cypermethrin degradation in the soil was primarily due to soil microbes(3). In laboratory tests, the half-lives of the cis-isomers of cypermethrin in soil were about 4 weeks, but 10-12 weeks in a biologically inactive soil(4). There was little difference between the rates of degradation of cypermethrin observed in the laboratory and the field(4). In incubated soil, the half-lives were 4.1 to 17.6 days for trans-cypermethrin and 12.5 to 56.4 days for cis-cypermethrin under aerobic conditions(5); the degradation rate of cypermethrin greatly depended on the soil type(5). In soil, cis-beta-cypermethrin biodegraded 53% in 30 days and trans-beta-cypermethrin biodegraded 84% in 30 days(6). In litter and elm forest soil, cypermethrin isomers dissipated very quickly with half-lives ranging from 9 to 29 days(7). Cypermethrin degraded via pathways including cleavage of the ester producing cis- and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid cleavage of the diphenyl ether bond forming the desphenoxy derivative, hydroxylation at the 4-position of the phenoxy ring, and hydrolysis of the cyano group to the amide and carboxy groups(4,7). Cypermethrin had reported aerobic half-lives of 63 to 71 days in soil and 53 to 85 days in sediment, sterilized half-lives were 116 to 120 days in soil and 120 to 122 days in sediment(8).

Cypermethrin had biodegradation half-lives of 11.6 to 30.4 days in water at 15 to 19 °C, pH 7.7, and biological oxygen demand of 2.2 mg/L(1). Anaerobic and aerobic half-lives of cypermethrin in water are 9 to 17 days(2).

ANAEROBIC: The degradation of cypermethrin in soil was slow under anaerobic conditions with respect to aerobic conditions(1). Cypermethrin had reported anaerobic half-lives of 71 to 120 days in soil and 136 to 154 days in sediment, sterilized half-lives were 116 to 120 days in soil and 120 to 122 days in sediment(2).

The aqueous hydrolysis half-life of cypermethrin in sterile water-ethanol (99:1) phosphate buffers at 25 °C was determined to be 99, 69, 63 and 50 weeks at pHs of 4.5, 6, 7 and 8, respectively(1). Cypermethrin was found to be stable to hydrolysis at pH 5 and 7, and had a half-life of 1.8 to 2.5 days at pH 9(2). Based upon measured rate constants (combined acid-catalyzed, base-catalyzed and neutral hydrolysis) of 3.63X10-8/sec and 5.91X10-8/sec for the cis- and trans-isomers of cypermethrin at pH 7 and 25 °C(3), the half-lives at pH 8 and 9 would be 14.5-21 days and 1.45-2.1 days, respectively(3); a half-life of 23-38 min was observed at pH 11 and 25 °C(3).

In a photomineralization study using a UV light (>290 nm), 30.2% of initial cypermethrin was mineralized to CO2 during a 17-hr exposure period(1). The photodegradation of the cis- and trans-isomers of cypermethrin was studied by exposing various aqueous solutions and soil surface applications to sunlight for 7-10 days and then determining the differences in cypermethrin losses as compared to dark controls(2); the half-lives in distilled water solution were 2.6-3.6 days in sunlight and >10 days in dark controls(2); the half-lives in river and seawater were 0.6-1.0 days and >10 days in dark controls(2); the faster half-lives in natural water (as compared to distilled water) were thought to result from photosensitizers occurring in the natural waters which were demonstrated by half-lives of <0.5 days in acetone-photosensitized solutions(2); half-lives on soil surfaces exposed to sunlight ranged from 0.6-1.9 days while half-lives on dark soil were >7 days(2); the photodegradation products resulting from exposure of cypermethrin to sunlight included various carbamoyl and hydroxy derivatives, a variety of benzoic acid derivatives, several lactone derivatives, and several aliphatic carboxylic acid derivatives(2). In the absence of a UV absorber, cypermethrin (alpha-isomer) on cotton fabric degraded rapidly when exposed to UV light (simulating midday natural sunlight) for a 6-hr period(1); however, when applied as a mixture with 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (a UV absorber), it photodegraded at a much lower rate(3). Cypermethrin had plant surface photodegradation on cotton leaf and bean leaf of 2 to 4 days in sunlight outdoors(4).

Using a static test system, a 3-day cypermethrin BCF of 420 was measured in golden ide fish (Leuciscus idus melanotus)(1). The BCF for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was approx 430(2). A BCF of 468 was reported for cypermethrin in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) which were exposed over a 4-week period(3). According to a classification scheme(4), these BCFs suggest that bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high(SRC). A 1-day BCF of 3280 was measured in algae (Chlorella fusca)(1). The BCF for chironomid larvae exposed to cis- and trans-cypermethrin in water and sediment ranged from 34 to 385(5).

Koc values for sandy loam and sandy clay loam were 87,216 and 90,160(1). Koc values of 26,492 to 144,652(2) and 20,800 to 385,000(3) were also reported. Cypermethrin Koc values in 3 sediments with organic carbon content of 1 to 13% were 178,000 to 503,000 after normalization for organic carbon content(4). According to a classification scheme(5), these Koc values suggest that cypermethrin is expected to be immobile in soil(SRC). The mobility of cis- and trans-cypermethrin in soil was studied in soil column experiments and by soil thin-layer chromatography (TLC) using a Hagerstown silty clay soil, a silty clay loam soil and a Tifton loamy sand(5); cypermethrin was found to be immobile in all soils(6). During field persistence studies, cypermethrin did not leach below soil depths of 7.5-15 cm(7). In laboratory studies, cypermethrin did not leach from three soils when percolated immediately after treatment or after a 30-day incubation period(8); only trace amounts leached from sand(8).

The Henry's Law constant for cypermethrin is estimated as 2.4X10-7 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) derived from its vapor pressure, 1.7X10-9 mm Hg(1), and water solubility, 4X10-3 mg/L(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that cypermethrin is expected to be essentially nonvolatile from water surfaces(2). Cypermethrin is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon its vapor pressure(1).

GROUND WATER: Cypermethrin was not detected (detection limit 10 ug/L) in 23 groundwater wells tested the spring of 2002 to the summer of 2003 from the Punta Espinillo aquifer, Uruguay(1). Cypermethrin was not detected (detection limit 7.0 ug/L) in 37 well water samples from four districts of Punjab, Pakistan, sampled July to Oct 2001(2).

SURFACE WATER: Deposits of cypermethrin on the surface of three streams adjacent to vineyards in France that were sprayed (via mistblowers) with cypermethrin insecticide were in the range of 0.04-0.45 mg/sq m(1); cypermethrin concentrations in subsurface water of the streams were in the range of 0.4-1.7 ug/L soon after spraying, and decreasing to <0.1 ug/L within a period of about 5 hours(1). Following a rain event in the fall of 2008, cypermethrin was not detected in water (1.1 ng/L detection limit) in samples from Arcade, El Dorado Hills, Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove, and Roseville creeks, CA; cypermethrin was not detected in suspended solids (4 ng/g detection limit) in samples from Arcade, El Dorado Hills, and Rancho Cordova creeks, but was detected at 8.0 and 6.2 ng/g from Elk Grove and Roseville creeks, respectively(2). Water samples from Beijing Guanting Reservoir taken at seven locations in Sept and Nov 2003, and June and Aug 2004 contained cypermethrin at not detected to 1.89 ng/L, pore water samples from the same locations contained cypermethrin at not detected to 8.87 ng/L(3). Cypermethrin, measured in 16 samples from 5 locations of the Lourens River estuary, was not detected in the aqueous phase, but was detected at 0.33 to 2.78 ug/kg in the particulate phase in samples taken March 2002 to May 2003(4). Cypermethrin was reported at <3 to 13.2 ug/kg in suspended solids and at <0.05 to 0.71 ug/L in the water of Brown stream, and at <3 ug/kg in suspended solids from Horqueta Stream from samples taken March 2001 to Jan 2003 in the main soybean agricultural area of Argentina(5). Cypermethrin was detected in 34% of 41 surface water samples from the Pampa Ondulada region of Argentina at concentrations of <0.2 to 194 ug/L, samples were taken Oct 27, 2002 to March 2, 2004(6).

A leachate collected near a pesticide manufacturing plant in Barcelona, Spain in the summer of 1984 contained cypermethrin concentrations of >5-10 ppm(1). Cypermethrin was detected at a high of 6.6 ug/L in freshwater drainage channels and streams in a rice paddy area on the Pacific side of Costa Rica in samples taken in 1992(2). Cypermethrin was reported at <3 to 20.8 ug/kg in suspended solids and at <0.05 to 0.49 ug/L in the water run off into Brown stream, at 13 to 53 ug/kg in suspended solids and at <0.05 ug/L in the water run off into Horqueta Stream from samples taken March 2001 to Jan 2003 in the main soybean area of Argentina(3). Cypermethrin was detected in 33% of 33 urban runoff samples with a maximum concentration of 12.3 ng/L, in 6% of 18 publicly owned treatment works samples with a maximum concentration of 17.0 ng/L and was not detected in 57 agricultural drain samples, samples were collected in 2008 and 2009 from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta area of CA(4).

SEDIMENT: Cypermethrin was reported at <3 in the sediment of Brown Stream and Horqueta Stream from samples taken March 2001 to Jan 2003 in the main soybean area of Argentina(1). Cypermethrin was detected in 100% of 41 sediment samples from the Pampa Ondulada region of Argentina at concentrations of <1.0 to 1075 ug/kg, samples were taken Oct 27, 2002 to March 2, 2004(2). In 2005 cypermethrin was measured in sediment 34 hours after three aerial applications of pesticides (pyrethrins and synergist piperonyl butoxide) for mosquito control in an urban area of Sacramento, CA reported levels were; Arcade Creek <1 ug/kg, Strong Ranch Slough 4.3 ug/kg, and Chicken Ranch Slough <1 ug/kg(3). Morrisen Creek contained 4.3 ug/kg while Laguna Creek site 1 and 2 were <1 ug/kg 10 hours after the second application of the pesticides(3). Sediment samples from Beijing Guanting Reservoir taken at seven locations in Sept and Nov 2003, and June and Aug 2004 contained cypermethrin at not detected to 8.77 pg/g(4).

SOIL: Cypermethrin was not detected in rice-farming soils adjacent to fruit crops treated with cypermethrin in Albufera National Park, Valencia, Spain for the period of April 1996 to Nov 1997(1). In the Bangkok area of Thailand, cypermethrin was detected in the soil of onion fields at 7.6 ug/kg and 2 to 5 days after application, cypermethrin was detected in the soil of Chinese kale at 759 ug/kg(2). Cypermethrin was detected in 1 of 5 soil samples taken the summer of 1998 from the Humrat Al-Sahn site, Jordan at a concentration of 1.68 ppm(3). Cypermethrin was not detected in 24 agricultural soil samples taken Oct 2006 from open field and plastic shed conditions in Belgrade, Serbia(4). Soil tested from residential homes in Atlanta, GA, from Jan to April 2006 had reported concentrations of cypermethrin of 7.73 to 59.18 ng/g dry weight in 3 of 11 yards and at 19.05 to 328.94 ng/g dry weight in 4 of 11 soil samples taken by the home foundations(5). The mean concentration of cypermethrin residues in soil after use of the pesticide in the Muna Valley region of Saudi Arabia, sampled Nov and Dec of 1995, ranged from 45.35 to 556.96 ug/g(6).

INDOOR: Cypermethrin was tested for but not found in 6 residential and office air samples, specific locations not specified(1).

URBAN/SUBURBAN: The mean concentration of cypermetrin residues in air particulates after use of the pesticide in the Muna Valley region of Saudi Arabia ranged from 0.60 to 1.35 ug/cu m. Application of pesticides follows the 3-day encampment in this region of about 2 million Hajj pilgrims wherein wastes are generated due to eating, breathing, and sacrificing more than one million animals(1).

SOURCE DOMINATED: The concentration of cypermethrin detected in air of vacant dormitory rooms following its application for cockroach control were 18.2, 8.5, 3.0, 7.1, 4.4, 4.4, 0.6, and 0.3 ug/cu m at 0, 7, 28, 42, 56, 70, and 84 days post application, respectively(1). Cypermethrin was detected at a maximum of 5 ng/cu m in indoor air after fighting cockroaches (up to 4 applications per year for up to 5 years)(2). Cypermethrin was also reported at 19 ug/cu m immediately after spraying application(2).

According to compiled results of the US Food and Drug Administration's pesticide residue monitoring programs (including the Total Diet Study) for fiscal years 1978-1990, cypermethrin has been detected as a pesticide residue in American foods(1-4). As part of the FDA Total Diet Study, the concentrations of cypermethrin detected in boiled collards, raw iceberg lettuce, and boiled broccoli were 0.442 ppm (range, 0.052-1.247 ppm), 0.0185 ppm (range, 0.013-0.024 ppm), and 0.013 ppm, respectively(5). During a 5-yr period from 1982-1986, FDA's Los Angeles District Laboratory analyzed 19,581 samples of domestic and imported food and feed commodities for pesticide residues(2); cypermethrin was detected in only 2 samples at concentrations of 0.1-0.5 ppm(2). For fiscal years 1988 and 1989, 27,065 food samples were collected and analyzed for pesticide residues by 10 state laboratories (CA, NY, FL, IN, MA, MI, NC, OR, VA and WI)(6); cypermethrin was detected in only 1 sample (concentration not reported)(7). Fruits (802) and vegetables (1536) collected by the food inspection branch from farms, food terminals, warehouses and points of consumer purchase in Ontario, Canada 1991 to 1995 had 221 reported detections of cypermethrin at <5 ug/g(8).

Between July 1988 and June 1990 in Pakistan, foods were tested for cypermethrin residues(1). Cypermethrin was not detected in fenugreek, aubergine(brinjal), sweet potato, potato, green pepper, capsicum, radish, garlic, peas, french beans, mustard, ginger, arum, gourd, cow pea, radish seeds, parsley, long cucumber, cluster bean, lemon, peach, apple, persimmon (amlok), banana, pomegranate, grapes, musk melon, orange, grapefruit, papaya, sapota, Ziziphus, cherry, plum, apricot, pear, watermelon, sugar cane, or cheeko in the same study(1).

Table: Positive cypermethrin detections. [Table#6096]

Cypermethrin was analyzed in 397 samples collected in 8 local markets from 6 Egyptian governorates (Cairo, Giza, Qualubiya, Beni Suef, Minufiya and Ismailia) in 1995 and was reported not detected in cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, courgette, cucumber, eggplant, green beans, green peas, lettuce, onion, pepper, apple, cantaloupe, grape, guava, mango, orange, peach or strawberry, but was detected in 1 of 62 tomato samples at a concentration of 1.1 mg/kg(1). Cypermethrin was also analyzed in 1579 samples collected in the same Egyptian governorates in 1996 and was not detected in cabbage, grape leaf, lettuce, melokhia, spinach, watercress, artichoke, broad bean, cauliflower, cantaloupe, cucumber, eggplant, green beans, green peas, okra, onion, pepper, squash, carrot, sweet potato, taro, banana, fig, lemon, lime, mango, peach, pear, plum, or pomegranate(2). Cypermethrin was detected in 8 of 86 tomato at 0.28 mg/kg, 1 of 49 apple at 0.14 mg/kg, 1 of 5 apricot at 0.57 mg/kg, 4 of 54 date at 0.37 mg/kg, 3 of 47 grape at 0.46 mg/kg, 1 of 72 guava at 0.12 mg/kg, 1 of 64 orange at 0.05 mg/kg and 2 of 38 strawberry at 0.35 mg/kg(2). Cypermethrin was detected in 20% of 30 tomato samples and 30% of 20 grape samples at 2.4 to 19.1 and 4.1 to 30.1 ppb, respectively, in samples taken from Alexandria City, Egypt from June 1997 to August 1998(4). Cypermethrin was undetected (detection limit 1.0 ppb) in 10 eggplant, 20 cucumber, 18 potato, 12 apple and 12 orange samples taken in the same survey(3).

Cypermethrin was detected in cabbage at a concentration of 23 ug/kg in Greece between March and April 1998(1). Agricultural products monitored in Prefecture, Japan from April 1995 to March 2000, found cypermethrin in 10 of 291 domestic tomato/spinach samples at concentrations of <0.5 ug/g, and in 3 of 106 Japanese persimmon samples at concentrations of <0.05 ug/g, but was not detected in any of the other 368 products sampled(2). Of 173 agricultural products analyzed in 2006 in Japan, six were reported to contain cypermethrin at 3.8-290 ng/g(3). Cypermethrin was not detected (detection limit 0.015 mg/kg) in 130 commercial egg samples taken from Sao Paulo City, Brazil from Oct 2003 to July 2005(4). In a market basket survey conducted Oct 1996 to May 1997 in Trinidad, West Indies, cypermethrin was not detected in sweet pepper, cabbage, celery, lettuce, cauliflower, pak-choi, cucumber, spinach, chive, tomato, hot pepper, cilantro, okra, watercress, eggplant, sorrel fruit or green beans(5). Cotton seeds, used as an edible oil, tested for cypermethrin from 5 locations in Punjab, India were reported as <0.01 mg/kg from the first pick but had concentrations of <0.01 to 0.247 mg/kg from the second pick(6). Cypermethrin was detected in 3 of 7 tomato samples at 0.04 to 0.16 mg/kg and in 1 of 2 potato samples at 0.50 mg/kg, cypermethrin was not detected in cabbage, peppers, onions or cucumbers, samples were taken July thru Aug 2006 from open field and plastic shed conditions in Belgrade, Serbia(7). Cypermethrin was not detected (detection limit 0.04 mg/kg) in mangoes treated with multi-class pesticides in Lucknow, Ultar Pradesh(8). Of 270 samples taken cypermethrin was detected in 11 apple and one citrus fruit sample taken 1999 to 2001 in Karachi, Pakistan at levels of a trace to 5.56 ppm(9). Cypermethrin was detected in garlic, onion, radish, sugar beet, turnip, mint, salad, spinach, brinjal, chilies, cucumber, Lady's fingers, luffa, pumpkin, peas, tomato, cabbage and cauliflower but not detected in carrot, ginger, potato, Brassica leaves, coriander, methi, bitter gourd, french bean and Indian squash, in a study conducted in Karachi, Pakistan 2000 to 2003(10). Cypermethrin was not detected (0.05 mg/kg detection limit) in 50 ground beef samples from area markets of Rome, Italy, samples were collected in 2005(11).

Results of cypermethrin application to jute sacks containing cowpea or lentils (seeds obtained from New Delhi) at 15 or 25 mg/sq m to test seed contamination(1).

Table: Units mg/kg; detection limit not reported [Table#6097]

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Incinerate cypermethrin in a unit with effluent gas scrubbing. (Peer-review conclusions of an IRPTC expert (May 1985)).

Incineration would be an effective disposal procedure where permitted. If an efficient incinerator is not available, the product should be mixed with large amounts of combustible material and contact with the smoke should be avoided. /Pyrethrin products/

Do not transport with food and feedstuffs. Severe marine pollutant.

Symbol: Xn, N; R: 22-37/38-43-50/53; S: (2)-36/37/39-60-61

UN Hazard Class: 6.1; UN Pack Group: II